Combating Poverty and Inequality (Beyond 2015 Brief No. 1)

A set of social development goals agreed by world leaders at the Millennium Summit placed poverty reduction at the heart of the international development agenda. Ongoing crises, and the social unrest they generate, have now forced inequality into the centre of attention of national and global leaders. The level and pattern of inequality within and between countries is now widely recognized as the critical problem—hindering inclusive growth, undermining social cohesion and acting as a barrier to poverty reduction and thus the achievement of the MDGs. UNRISD research findings, based on an extensive inquiry that examined poverty and inequality from a developmental and social policy perspective, provide key lessons that need to be underpin a transformative development agenda beyond 2015.

UNRISD’s “Beyond 2015” Briefs contribute research-based insight and analysis to the dialogue around the post–MDG development agenda. They highlight key information in a concise format, with references to further in-depth reading, useful to policy makers, activists and academics alike. This text was originally published as UNRISD Research and Policy Brief 10 (May 2010). It is being reissued because of its continued relevance to current discussions shaping the post-2015 development agenda.